Country/Americana singer-songwriter Jeremy Parsons just released his highly personal new single, “Who Was I?” on September 5th. The song, taken from his upcoming EP Life (released September 19th), is a genuine meditation on Parsons’ own journey of growth, mistakes, and self-discovery. Let’s dissect the song.

The song opens with a dreamy and captivating country-infused guitar melody. Let’s talk theme. This song touched on a couple of themes. Let’s go through them. We all have imposter syndrome, especially in our mid-twenties and upwards. Most of us had a plan of what we thought our lives would be at 25, and most of us had parents, and or family that had their shit together by 25. They might have been married, bought their first home, and had a family, but things are much more difficult for us. The song offers vivid pictures of Parsons’ life at 25—drifting, following aspirations, struggling with identity—against the backdrop of conventional norms.

Parsons lays bare the challenges of adolescence and the clarity that comes only with time and perspective with lines like “Sleeping through the days, living for the night / Yeah, doing lots of things to see if I could die”. It is very reassuring to know that we are not alone in this and that things will get better; we just need to take things one step at a time. The world has changed so much, and we can’t hold ourselves to certain standards anymore. Also, it’s important to remember that we are not the same. Our parents are different than us, and accepting that will bring us so much freedom and inner peace. We must celebrate and glorify growth and change in our lives, and this song really helps with that.

Drawing on old country traditions while infusing his work with modern Americana honesty, Parsons has created a catalogue that explores themes of love, grief, development, and survival. He is known for his forthright lyrics, soulful delivery, and unwavering connection with audiences, and he remains one of the most genuine and thought-provoking voices in today’s indie Americana scene.

The single showcases Parsons’ unique blend of lyrical honesty and Americana origins, anchored by his warm, weathered vocals and melodic narrative. It is both a personal confession and a universal song for everybody who has looked back on their youth and wondered how far they’ve come. For listeners who enjoy visual stimulation, he has a very interesting and captivating lyric video that is animated, because who doesn’t like animation?

This song offers a candid reflection on Parsons’ own journey of growth, missteps, and self-discovery. Parsons explains that the song was inspired by a review of his 2021 album Things To Come, where a critic suggested it lacked personality. We love an artist who is constantly evolving, to bring the very best of himself to every song. I am so excited and I can’t wait to hear more of his music!

Stream “Who was I” on Spotify

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